~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Early Childhood Education …

02/15/2013 Nativegrl77

The President explains why high-quality preschool is the best bang for our education bucks. February 14, 2013.

~ FDA/USDA ~~ Alerts & Safety, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Keep Frankenfish Out of Our Food Chain …

02/15/2013 Nativegrl77

The FDA is moving toward approving genetically-engineered fish for human consumption. Please help us ensure our native fish populations are protected! Take Action Today!

Earthjustice, Protect Northwest Orcas Campaign
What do you think would happen if our precious and vulnerable native salmon came face-to-face with fast-growing, genetically-engineered salmon? Not sure? Unfortunately, you’re not the only one.

During the holidays, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) took a controversial step toward approving the first-ever genetically-engineered fish made for human consumption. These fish are the spawn of a company called AquaBounty Technologies and are engineered in foreign laboratories to grow twice as fast as natural Atlantic salmon.

And if that’s not scary enough, the FDA isn’t planning on thoroughly studying all the environmental risks presented by these Frankenfish before giving the green light to AquaBounty. This means these Frankenfish will be produced on a commercial scale before anyone knows what damaging impacts they may have if they invade our most sensitive natural marine environments. The FDA wants to be able to save these crucial questions for a later time, but we think the questions need to need to be answered now, before it’s too late.

If you agree, join us in calling on the FDA to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the full range of potential environmental impacts of these genetically-engineered fish.

We have until April 26, 2013 to submit comments. Please help us ensure our native fish populations are protected!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Official Google blog …

02/15/2013 Nativegrl77

RISE Awards 2013: A global effort

Posted: 14 Feb 2013 01:48 AM PST

“I am standing in a partial enclosure made of sticks and plant fronds. This is the school for roughly 35 students, ranging in age from three to about 20 years old. There are no desks. There is only a single shared chalkboard, and it has gaping holes.” — David Rathmann-Bloch from the 21st Century Chalkboard Project, writing from rural Haiti.

These are just some of the many challenges faced by education organizations who applied for this year’s Google RISE Awards. The RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Awards program funds and supports organizations around the world that provide science and technology education at a grassroots level.

This year we’re delighted to give awards to 30 new organizations from 18 different countries. Combined they will reach more than 90,000 children in 2013, helping inspire and teach the scientists and engineers of the future.

Some, such as Haiti’s 21st Century Chalkboard Project and the Uniristii Association (site in Romanian) in Romania, help those from underserved communities gain access to computing resources.
Others, like the U.K.’s Code Club and the U.S.’s CodeNow, offer extracurricular activities that help interested children, especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds, to learn programming.
A few, such as the Middle East’s MEET and iLab Liberia, seek to use technology education as a platform to bridge wider social and cultural divides.
Some, like Girlstart in the U.S. and New Zealand’s Programming Challenge 4 Girls, aim to empower girls to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In addition to receiving funding and support to continue their outreach, RISE Award recipients will be brought together for a global summit this June in London.

To paraphrase an old saying, from small seeds, great things can grow. The recipients of the 2013 RISE Awards have already made a difference. Connecting with other like-minded organizations will help spread valuable and practical expertise, and spark opportunities for global collaboration and expansion.

Posted by Roxana Shirkhoda, Education Outreach Specialist

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

jon stewart and more

02/15/2013 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

And he shows something really telling about John McCain from last year to this year that you must not miss. WATCH:

Jon Stewart Paraphrases Marco Rubio: ‘Medicare Helps MY Mom, But F _ _ k You’

Whether you realize it or not, there could be someone on your friends list who needs to hear this very message right now. WATCH:

What Would Happen If We All Shared This With Someone We Love Today?

This Hidden Camera Footage Of A Gay Couple In Texas Will Shock You

Black History, ~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

CONGRESS: the House ::::: pro forma ::::: the Senate

02/15/2013 Nativegrl77

The Senate will conduct pro forma sessions with no business conducted on the following dates and times unless the Senate adopts an adjournment resolution which may be received from the House.

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, February 25, 2013. Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 5:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #7, the nomination of Robert Bacharach, of Oklahoma, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Tenth Circuit with up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled between Senators Leahy and Grassley or their designees.

Upon the use or yielding back of time (at approximately 5:30pm), there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Bacharach nomination.

————————————————————–

Watch Live House Floor Proceedings

House Floor Activities
Legislative Day of February 15, 2013

9:00:18 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
9:00:23 A.M.		The Speaker designated the Honorable Jeff Fortenberry to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
9:00:51 A.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
9:02:20 A.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
9:02:23 A.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. Cartwright to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
9:02:45 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches which by direction of the Chair, would be limited to 5 per side of the aisle.
9:16:15 A.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
9:16:21 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Mr. Royce moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended. H. Res. 65 — “Condemning the Government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.”
9:16:34 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Considered under suspension of the rules.
9:16:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 65.
9:36:19 A.M.	H. Res. 65	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
9:36:56 A.M.	H.R. 273	Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 66. H.R. 273 — “To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees.”
9:37:01 A.M.	H.R. 273	Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 273 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. Section 2 of the resolution provides that during any recess or adjournment of not more than three days, the Speaker or his designee may reconvene the House at a time other than that previously appointed, within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution. Section 3 of the resolution authorizes the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of February 15, 2013, relating to a measure condemning the government of North Korea and its February 12, 2013 test of a nuclear device. Section 4 provides that on any legislative day from February 16, 2013 through February 22, 2013: (a) the Journal of the proceedings of the previous day shall be considered as approved; (b) the Chair may adjourn the House to meet at a date and time within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution. Section 5 authorizes the Speaker to appoint Members to perform the duties of the Chair for the duration of the period addressed by section 4 as though under clause 8(a) of rule I.
9:37:15 A.M.	H.R. 273	DEBATE – The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 273.

10:45:14 A.M.	H.R. 273	The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
10:46:06 A.M.	H.R. 273	POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS – At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 273, the Chair put the question on adoption of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Issa demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of H.R. 273 until later in the legislative day.
10:46:27 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	Considered as privileged matter. H. Con. Res. 15 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment of the House of Representatives and a conditional recess or adjournment of the Senate.”
11:11:28 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 222 – 190 (Roll no. 43).
11:11:29 A.M.	H. Con. Res. 15	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:11:31 A.M.	H.R. 273	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 273 — “To eliminate the 2013 statutory pay adjustment for Federal employees.”
11:21:43 A.M.	H.R. 273	On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 261 – 154 (Roll no. 44).
11:21:44 A.M.	H.R. 273	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:22:02 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Considered as unfinished business. H. Res. 65 — “Condemning the Government of North Korea for its flagrant and repeated violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, for its repeated provocations that threaten international peace and stability, and for its February 12, 2013, test of a nuclear device.”
11:29:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 412 – 2 (Roll no. 45).
11:29:36 A.M.	H. Res. 65	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:32:29 A.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
11:54:13 A.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches

12:59:54 P.M.		The House received a message from the Senate. The Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 15.
1:00:24 P.M.		Mr. Gohmert moved that the House do now adjourn.
1:00:43 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
1:00:44 P.M.		The House adjourned pursuant to H. Con. Res. 15. The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on February 25, 2013.